Major Crash Investigators believe excessive speed contributed to a single vehicle crash which left an 18-year-old in a critical condition in the Royal Darwin Hospital.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant John Worrall said Police allege the man was driving in excess of 165 kilometres per hour before he lost control of the vehicle he was driving in Palmerston yesterday morning.

“It appears the man was driving at speed along Temple Terrace before he lost control of the Ford Falcon,” Senior Sergeant Worrall said.

“Police believe the vehicle hit and mounted a curb then swiped a tree before coming to a stop against a fence on Crinum Court Moulden at about 4.30am

“When Police arrived at the scene they found the man trapped in the vehicle.

“St John Ambulance transported him to the Royal Darwin Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

“Traffic was disrupted for some hours as Temple Terrace was closed off to allow Major Crash Investigators to assess the scene.

“Unfortunately, travelling at almost triple the speed limit can only end in disaster.

“With the school holidays approaching Police will continue to remind drivers to slow down and drive not just to the speed limit but to the prevailing road conditions.”

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